Kasmira Kingdom

Kasmira was a kingdom grouped under the northern kingdoms as per the epic. It is identified as the Kashmir valley along the Jhelum River of the modern Jammu and Kashmir state. Possibly the sage Kashyapa or a descendant of this sage lived here, since the name "Kas" is derived from the name Kashyapa like the name "Caspian" of the Caspian Sea. The Naga race is related to Kashyapa (as per Puranas, the Naga race of demi-gods originated from Kashyapa along with other races of gods demons and demi-gods). Kasmiras were allies of the Kuru king Duryodhana . A sect in Kashmir speak of Duryodhana with great reverance.

References in Mahabharata

Kasmira along with neighbouring kingdoms

Kasmira is mentioned as a kingdom of ancient India (Bharata Varsha) along with the Sindhu- Sauviras, the Gandharvas, and the Darsakas; the Abhisaras, the Utulas, the Saivalas, and the Valhikas, the Darvis. Then again there are the Sudra-Abhiras, the Dardas, the Kasmiras, and the Pattis (6,9)

Kasmiras were mentioned along with the Pahlavas and the Daradas and the various tribes of the Kiratas and Yavanas and Sakas and the Harahunas and Chinas and Tukharas and the Sindhavas and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the Kekayas and the Malavas as bringing tribute to Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. (3,51)

The Daserakas, the Kasmirakas, the Aurasikas, the Pisachas, the Samudgalas, the Kamvojas, the Vatadhanas were mentioned together and said to be vanquished by Vasudeva Krishna (7,11)

The Kashmiras, the Daradas along with other tribes were vanquished by Bhargava Rama (7,68)

The rivers of Kasmira

The river Vitasta, is situate in the country of the Kasmiras and is the abode of the Naga Takshaka. (3,82). The rivers Chandrabhaga and the Vitasta have pure waters. The very many rivers that flowing through Kasmira, fall into the great river called Sindhu. (13,25)

Arjuna at Kasmira

"Arjuna during his military campaign to collect tribute to Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice, arrived at Kashmira"

Arjuna brought under his sway the seven tribes called Utsava-sanketa. Then he defeated the brave Kshatriyas of Kashmira and also king Lohita along with ten minor chiefs. Then the Trigartas, the Daravas, the Kokonadas, and various other Kshatriyas advanced against the son of Pandu. (2,26)

Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice

*Kasmira king attended Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice (2,33)

The Kairatas, the Daradas, the Darvas, the Suras, the Vaiamakas, the Audumvaras, the Durvibhagas, the Kumaras, the Paradas along with the Vahlikas, the Kashmiras, the Ghorakas, the Hansakayanas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Yauddheyas, the ruler of Madras and the Kaikeyas, the Amvashtas, the Kaukuras, the Tarkshyas, the Vastrapas along with the Palhavas, the Vashatayas, the Mauleyas along with the Kshudrakas, and the Malavas, the Paundrayas, the Kukkuras, the Sakas and many others brough tribute to Pandava king Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. (2,51)

Other references

*Kasmira king was mentioned as one among the great kings along with Alarka, Aila, Karandhama, Daksha etc. (13,165)
*Kashmerean mare is mentioned at (4,9)

See also

*Kingdoms of Ancient India
*Pisacha Kingdom
*Paisachi

References

*Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli